What Is Congenital Torticollis?
An infant that keeps his or her head tilted or turned to one side may have a condition called congenital torticollis. “Congenital” means that the condition is present at birth. “Torticollis” means wry neck, twisted or bent neck. The child’s neck range of motion is limited and the child may keep his or her head positioned to one side.
Symptoms may include:
head tilting to one side
limited neck range of motion
one side of the face or skull may be flattened
a lump or swelling in the muscle of the neck.
What Causes Torticollis?
No one knows exactly what causes this condition. There are many theories, including the muscle is stretched during delivery, in-utero positioning, low amniotic fluid, and muscle imbalance. Congenital torticollis typically is a result of the shortening of a muscle in the neck. If the tightened or shortened muscle is not stretched, it may result in permanent limited neck range of motion, and there may be a
flattening of the head and face structures.
Why Is My Child Being Referred To Outpatient Physical Therapy?
At Kenny Kids Rehabilitation Program, our pediatric physical therapists can evaluate your child by looking at his or her neck range of motion, neck and body strength, and motor skills. After determining which muscles are affected, you may be instructed in a home exercise program. This program will include gentle stretches, positioning techniques, and strengthening exercises and activities. Your therapist will give you helpful ideas for carrying and holding your child, and ideas how to use your child’s environment to stretch and strengthen muscles. Your physical therapist may recommend direct physical therapy services for your child to stretch and strengthen your child’s neck muscles, in addition to home program exercises and activities.
What Can I Do At Home?
Place toys and other stimulating objects in positions where the child must turn their head to see them. This encourages the child to stretch the affected muscles. Try positioning your child in his or her crib so the stimulation will be coming form the right or left side. These ideas will help motivate your child to turn their head on their own.
Position your child during feeding on your right or left arm. This allows a gentle stretch and encourages neck movement.
Carry your child in a side-lying position with them facing away from you. Hold your child by placing one arm under the head on the side of their tight muscle. Support your child with your other arm. This position will assist in stretching the affected muscle.
Use a towel roll on your child’s right or left side of the head to keep it more in the center.
Tummy time while awake — Place your child on his or her tummy frequently (more than once a day) with toys or a person in front of them at eye level. This motivates them to try to hold the head up and turn the head by themselves. You can use a towel roll placed under your child’s chest or arms to assist in holding their head up.
Many babies do not really enjoy tummy time. If your child gets really upset with this activity, try for short periods of time, several times during the day. You can also try positioning your child on a wedge or on an incline.
Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Kenny Kids Pediatric Rehabilitation Program
3111 124th Ave. NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-236-7337
763-236-8966 fax
Source: Sara Rohde, OTR/L,
coordinator of the Kenny Kids program
First published: 06/27/2005
Last updated: 06/27/2005
Reviewed by: Sara Rohde, OTR/L,
coordinator of the Kenny Kids program
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